H

ot on the heels of allegations that he exploited a government advertisement to support his presidential ambitions, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan has courted controversy once again after appearing on an entertainment show for a private television station during office hours.

Gita, a contender in the Democratic Party'€™s (PD) presidential convention, was a guest on the music show, Inbox, on SCTV on Friday morning, in which he showed off his multiple abilities '€” besides managing the country'€™s trade balance.

'€œPlease welcome, Syahrini'€¦.,'€ Gita said as he announced the entrance of pop singer Syahrini during the show. '€œ[For me to be on stage] with Pak minister is '€˜really something'€™,'€ Syahrini replied as she came on stage, using her well-known catchphrase.

Following the introduction, Gita then proceeded to perform on a keyboard with the band Wali, and sang and danced along with presenters of the show.

Gita'€™s surprise appearance generated a degree of public consternation, as people expressed their discontent with his actions given his role as a public servant.

'€œMusic is a trade commodity, maybe that'€™s why Gita was on Inbox,'€ Twitter user @BudiSetyarso wrote. He added, '€œToday is Friday, which is technically a working day. Why is the minister on Inbox'€?

Another annoyed viewer, @andjrot, wrote on Twitter, '€œWhile the price of chicken is skyrocketing due to soaring animal feed prices and tofu/tempeh are scarce due to surging soybean prices, the minister in charge is kareoke-ing on Inbox'€.

Yet another user, @erwinarda, commented, '€œHe got bored of visiting traditional markets, so now he is pandering to youngsters [to get sympathy].'€

The TV appearance comes amid allegations that Gita has been using state funds to finance his campaign as a presidential hopeful.

Previously, Gita'€™s picture in a Trade Ministry advertisement for '€œKampanye Cinta Product Indonesia'€, a campaign encouraging people to buy Indonesian products, also drew criticism from many parties.

Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) political analyst Siti Zuhro said that Gita'€™s recent antics were obviously aimed at gaining popularity. '€œIt'€™s like he'€™s [trying to] kill two birds with one stone [by appearing on the music show],'€ she told The Jakarta Post. '€œIt was ridiculous and naïve of him [to do it].'€

She said it was pointless for Gita, a former investment banker with little popular following, to appear on the music show if he was aiming to gain public support.

'€œHe should not imagine that by campaigning on the show, the public will be touched, recognize and support him,'€ Siti said.

She also lambasted the ministry'€™s recent advertisement that featured Gita, saying that it was an abuse of the state'€™s money. '€œIf they want to advertise, then showcase the ministry, not a person [Gita]. That is so narcissistic,'€ she said.

Commenting on the building criticism, a member of Gita'€™s campaign team, Ade Armando, said Gita'€™s appearance on the show was not initiated by the minister.